We’re All Alike

We’re All Alike is grounded in the understanding that, as a species, humans share essential biological and physiological traits, yet our sociological and spiritual connections reveal even deeper commonalities. Although we possess the same genetic structure, the variations within our DNA make each person unique. Despite these differences—shaped by geography, ancestry, and lived experience—we retain fundamental characteristics that bind us together. This project, a series of charcoal portraits (22 x 27 inches each), explores these shared human qualities through the intimate and timeless medium of drawing.

Inspired by the tradition of Roman Gold Glass Medallions, which honored figures of power and prestige, We’re All Alike reimagines this classical format for contemporary subjects. Each portrait presents a solitary bust against a stark black background, allowing the individual’s presence, personality, and humanity to emerge without distraction. By focusing on everyday men and women rather than rulers or elites, the series elevates the universal over the exceptional. Labels of race, gender, sexual orientation, and social status fall away; what remains are the inherent similarities that define us as human beings.

Creating this large‑scale installation through individual black‑and‑white drawings—with color reserved only for the expressive intensity of the eyes—has deepened my connection to the contemplative rhythm of studio practice. Each drawing becomes a complete and autonomous artwork, not a preliminary study, reinforcing my commitment to the discipline and intimacy of portraiture. As an artist, developing a project of this scope has long been an aspiration. Through We’re All Alike, I affirm the shared humanity that unites us and the enduring power of portraiture to reveal it.

© 2017 Belinda Flores-Shinshillas.